Sun Dog Days of Summer

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http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/

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 We will be taking a break next week!

1.  I recently read here about four secrets to happiness from around the world. They were-

Overcome your fears by facing them head on, allow yourself to relax and reset, work to live versus living to work, and find the good in life. Not sure if these are the actual secret to happiness, but which of the four do you struggle with most? Which one comes most easily to you?

Probably facing my fears head on.  I'm pretty good at the other three, but I'm afraid I tend to ignore fears and pretend they don't exist until I'm faced with having to deal with them.  I then have a choice to continue ignoring and possibly miss a victory or face them and possibly win a victory.  If its fear of the water, I will miss the victory every time.  If it is getting into a helicopter and flying over the Grand Canyon, the victory is mine!

2. How would you spend a found $20 bill today?

There is a metal plant stand that I want and am debating whether or not to get it.  $20 wouldn't pay for it but might help push me over to the get side of the mental debate.

3. Ego trip, power trip, guilt trip, round trip, trip the light fantastic, or trip over your own two feet...which 'trip' have you experienced or dealt with most recently? Explain.

This is a hard one, Joyce.  Nothing to take me on an ego or power trip in my life for a long time now. I don't like guilt trips because so often they tend to be self imposed and do no good.  Don't dance so haven't tripped the light fantastic and am pretty coordinated and don't often trip over my own feet.  So, I guess I'm going to have to pass on this one.

4. If you could master any physical skill in the world what would it be, and how would you use that skill?

I would like to one day master this yoga pose.  It will only happen in my dreams, of course.  But being able to do this would mean my total body is conditioned to its height of perfection and arthritis and stenosis and steel bars don't exist.

5. As July draws to a close, let's take inventory of our summer fun. Since the official first day of (North American) summer (June 20th) have you...been swimming? enjoyed an ice cream cone? seen a summer blockbuster? camped? eaten corn on the cob? gardened? deliberately unplugged? watched a ballgame? picked fruit off the vine? taken a road trip? read a book? Are any of these activities on your must-do-before-summer-ends list?

Swimming?  No
Ice Cream Cone?  Not exactly but a MUST DO!
Summer blockbuster?  Not yet but a MUST DO!
Picked fruit?  No, too hot and not necessary down here
Road trip?  A short but enjoyable one, but a big one coming up in Sept.
Read a book?  Yes

6. The Republican Presidential candidates will debate on August 6th. What's your question?

Which one of you will actually accomplish what you say you will?

7. What's your most listened to song so far this summer?

I don't, as a rule, listen to a particular song over and over.  But, Hubby wrote a little chorus that he sings a lot around the house.  "Written down, written down.  My name is written down in the Book that God alone holds.  My name is written down."
 
8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Sunday night we had the most interesting phenomenon in the western sky.

 After posting pictures on Facebook, a friend wrote that it was probably what is called sun dogs and that there was probably another one being hidden behind the clouds.  So, I did some research.

Here's what I learned:

Sun dogs are a member of a large family of halos, created by light interacting with ice crystals in the atmosphere. Sun dogs typically appear as two subtly colored patches of light to the left and right of the Sun, approximately 22° distant and at the same elevation above the horizon as the Sun. They can be seen anywhere in the world during any season, but they are not always obvious or bright. Sun dogs are best seen and are most conspicuous when the Sun is close to the horizon.

 Aristotle (Meteorology III.2, 372a14) had this to say, "two mock suns rose with the sun and followed it all through the day until sunset." He says that "mock suns" are always to the side, never above or below, most commonly at sunrise or sunset, more rarely in the middle of the day.

 Possibly the earliest clear description of sun dogs is by Jacob Hutter who wrote in his "Brotherly Faithfulness:  Epistles from a Time of Persecution:

My beloved children, I want to tell you that on the day after the departure of our brothers Kuntz and Michel, on a Friday, we saw three suns in the sky for a good long time, about an hour, as well as two rainbows. These had their backs turned toward each other, almost touching in the middle, and their ends pointed away from each other. And this I, Jakob, saw with my own eyes, and many brothers and sisters saw it with me. After a while the two suns and rainbows disappeared, and only the one sun remained. Even though the other two suns were not as bright as the one, they were clearly visible. I feel this was no small miracle…

 ^{This was indeed no small miracle.  I count it a blessing to have been privileged to witness such an amazing display of God's sun and His rainbows in the night time sky.}

^{And by the way, I was listening for the Trumpet!}

Women Over 50 or 60 or 70 or....Part 4

While still of the subject of aging gracefully, I came across this article about the

"world's oldest supermodel," 87-year-old Daphne Selfe.

What can we learn from this amazing lady?

Her modeling career has literally spanned seven decades. Selfe appears in the new ad campaign for TK Maxx (the UK's answer to TJ Maxx). 

 

Selfe began modeling in the 1950s and after a lengthy period out of the business returned in 1998 at the age of 70.

She is still modeling for various magazines at the age of 87.

She is undoubtedly the poster child for aging gracefully.

"I've never had anything done to my face.  Not that poison, not a face-lift.  I think it's a waste of money. Anyway, I couldn't afford it!"

So how on earth does she do it, remain so fit, so amazing!

Ms. Selfe's "secret" to success and longevity?

‘I think it’s partly down to good genes. My mother was a livewire, she lived until she was 95. I’ve never really bothered with skin cream or anything like that.  I walk, do yoga, eat well and stay active."

 "I did dye my hair at home for a while when I started to go grey in my early 40s, but it became too much of a bother." 

For a woman who has spent a lifetime in front of the camera, Daphne is surprisingly without vanity. 

"My hair is long now because it’s cheaper, I don’t have to do anything, but put it in a topknot or a French pleat. It avoids that old lady permed look, lengthens the neck and lifts the face. I’ve got so many friends who don’t touch the make-up pot. You should keep looking nice, it makes you feel so much better."

“I think I have been curious, positive, and am lucky to have good genes.  I have always tried new things and never been afraid to experiment.  I have been taught to have a professional attitude and good work ethic. I'm always genuinely interested in every person I work with and I think that helps too.”

"Keep learning new things, never be bored, read books and see films outside your favorites, travel when you can, pick up a new (or old) hobby. These habits make us feel engaged and more alive."

'Women are too sloppy these days, they simply don't look in the mirror. Leggings and skinny jeans — just dreadful!'

 You might enjoy seeing this interview with Daphne Selfe from a few days ago regarding her new book, The Way We Wore.

What can you take from this beautiful older woman to enrich your aging years?

It's a Groovy Wednesday Hodgepodge

What a fun Hodgepodge of questions this week, Joyce.  Thank you for always giving us something to look forward to and to challenge us.

Please join the other Hodgepodgers on

Joyce's Blog.

1. Is your home air conditioned? If it's not air conditioned, is that by choice? Did you grow up with air conditioning? If not how did you cope with the heat? Share about a time or place you remember as being too hot-the temperature kind of hot, lest anyone be confused.

Oh yes, we have air conditioning and it rarely stops cycling during the hot days of summer.  In the south, air conditioning is as important as running water and flushable toilets.

I did not grow up with air conditioning as a small child, however.  I was in middle school before we had a house cooled by window units.  How did we cope?  We didn't know the difference.  Air conditioning was as foreign as color television.  What's that???  So we sat under oscillating fans and open windows when inside and spent most of our days playing outside.

I remember a particular summer when I was eaten up with red bugs from playing in the woods.  If you aren't familiar with these parasites, then blessings on you.  I have never been so miserable as this:  itching so badly I couldn't stand it and being so hot I couldn't breathe.  But, that was life as a child and I wouldn't go back one single day although overall it was a mighty good life.

2. What's something in your life right now that falls under the heading 'up in the air'?

Interesting you should ask.  I am planning our 50th Wedding Anniversary party for early September and although I have most everything well taken care of at this point, there are a few issues still up in the air.  But, I have no doubt they will all land in good order in plenty of time to be non-stressed for our big day.

3. Your favorite light and airy dessert?

Sherbet would be my favorite, but lemon ice box pie would be a very close second.

4. When did you last feel like you were 'floating on air'?

I feel sure you don't mean this literally, yet I can't think of a non-literal answer.  So, I going with the helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon this past April.  Sorry!

5. Airport, airmail, airtight, airhead...which have you most recently encountered? Explain.

That would be airport.  Our Daughter-in-Love and Granddaughter #5 flew in from Indiana a couple Sundays ago to spend time with DIL's family.  We met them at the airport and returned them there several days later.  We did have a few days with them as well, and loved every busy moment.

6.  Have you ever been to the Alps? If so where did you go? If not, is this a destination on your must-see list? If you were headed that direction this summer, which of the following would be your preferred activity...a gentle walk, a serious walk, a bike ride, a boat ride around one of the lakes, or summer snow skiing?

We flew over the Alps many years ago and it was absolutely breathtaking.  Should I return for a closer visit, I would love a gentle walk, a boat ride or even a train ride.

7. What is one saying or phrase that was considered 'cool' when you were growing up?

As I grew up in the 50's and 60's I am going to do one from each decade.

50's

 60's

Insert your own random thought here. 

While we're on this subject of sayings, another biggie from the 60's was this one:

I didn't agree with it then and I still don't.  Many believe it was this philosophy of the 60's that led us into the sexual revolution and morally depraved society we are living in today.  How could we have known or foreseen the impact of this lifestyle 50 years later.

I do believe I have lived in one of the most diverse and exciting periods of time.  And to think that I also may live to see the return of Jesus Christ.

Then, there will truly be no war and all Love.

Women 50 or 60 or 70 or....... Part 3

I recently went to the Vogue magazine online to see some of the different July 2015 editions worldwide.

I found the main features from each of these countries very interesting.  But, for my purpose here, I found the

VOGUE ITALIA JULY 2015

edition particularly fascinating.

Why?

Because they featured older women.  Granted these are women who in their prime were amazingly beautiful models and actresses.
  (See a bio of them below)

What made an impression on me and what I want you to see is that there is a distinct beauty in the older woman's face and features.  You may also look at the fashions, but pay special attention to the faces.

Yes, there is beauty in lines around the eyes,

veined hands and thinning lips. 

 There is beauty in an older neck when it holds the head proudly.

 There is a definite beauty in the older woman's face because she is confident in who she is.

 

Let us embrace our aging features while also enhancing and taking care of our aging skin.

 Remember, we are beautiful from the inside first.

Chandrika Casali: Vogue model in the 1970's, born in 1953

Helen Pashgian:  Artist born in 1934

Edie Windsor:  Computer Guru born in the 1930's

Vanessa Redgrave: Actress born in 1937

Alba Clemente:  Actress and Costume Designer born in 1950's

Marleine Bastien:  Activist, social worker, songwriter, mother born 1959

China Machado:  Fashion Model born in 1930's

Bo Derek:  Actress and Producer born in 1956

Bambi:  Dancer and Actress born in 1926

Jan de Villeneuve:  Super Model in the 1960's born in 1940's

A Hump Day of Random Thoughts

Be sure to join

Joyce

and other bloggers for

Wednesday Hodgepodge 

1.July 15th is National Give Something Away Day.  What can you give away? Will you?

Probably the thing I can most afford to give away is time, but the thing I hold most dear is time.  So, will I?  I'm not sure at this point.

2. Do you have a mantra? Please share with the class if you feel comfortable doing so.

I don't think I have one.  There are a few phrases I use once in a while such as "And this too shall pass," but nothing that I base my life on.

3. Who does the grocery shopping in your house? How many times a week do you shop? Do you make a list or pray for inspiration in the produce aisle?

Hubby does most of the shopping, thankfully, but I do go occasionally.  He enjoys it and is good at it and I enjoy seeing him so happy.  It's the least I can do for him. HA!


4. Is there a TV show you're embarrassed to say you watch? You're going to tell us what it is, right?

The only least bit questionable one I watch is "Revenge."  A night-time soap opera.

5. A recent article listed fifteen words we should eliminate from our (written) vocabulary in order to sound smarter- that, went, honestly, absolutely, very, really, amazing, always, never, literally, just, maybe, stuff, things, and irregardless
 
Of the fifteen, which word is your most overused?

I find that I over use the word "that."

6. So apparently dying your hair gray (in your youth!) is a thing right now. It's called 'The Granny Hair' trend. Your thoughts?

I addressed this issue on my Monday blog which can be found HERE!

7. A while back Buzz Feed asked members to share the most beautiful sentence they've read in a piece of literature. A hard thing to narrow down, at least for me, but let's try. What's one of the most beautiful sentences you've ever read in a piece of literature?

"Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust:  Cause me to know the way wherin I should walk; for I lift up my soul to thee."  Psalm 143:8
 
8. Insert your own random thought here. 

This past Saturday Hubby and I took a road trip into East Texas to a Peach Orchard.  There were so many choices, but we ended up getting a half bushel of Ruston Reds which we shared with good friends.  If you haven't eaten one of these peaches, you have missed such a treat, for they are delicious.

 

 I made a peach cobbler with half of my half which is to die for.  Peach cobbler with ice cream!

So southern and so good!

Women 50 or 60 or 70 or......Part 2

Last Monday, I talked about some Do's and Don'ts regarding clothing for the

Wise, Mature and Fulfilled Older Woman.

Part 1 Here!

I thought as a follow-up, I would discuss hair styles.

This isn't a big deal really, but I have seen some styles particularly of late, that made me think this might be worth addressing.

You might be surprised by how many women wear styles that make them look older.  And then again, maybe you wouldn't be.

Some of us are still trying to re-live the glory high-school-yearbook days of our past when we were younger and popular and life was good.  Or at least less stressful, perhaps.

 Remember the old permed Poodle Do?  Yep, saw one last week.

 Or the Farrah Fawcett look.  I would have killed for one of these back in the 70's.
But, not today, thank you.

I did have the Dorothy Hamill though in 1976.

These styles had their place and time, but we've got to let them go.
Let it gooooo!  Let it gooooo! etc.  You get the point.

What about hair color?

This lady seems to be wedged between youth and a rapid on-set of early signs of maturity and isn't sure which way to go.  Long, graying, or out-of-date coloring can look witchy and very aging.  Even on a young adult.

We comb, color, tease, straighten, curl, and tousle our hair trying to get it just right. We love our hair! It's our crowning glory. Indeed we care about our hair so much that it's estimated the average woman will spend $50,000 over her lifetime on her hair.  Ouch!

It's not just vanity that keeps me wanting to look younger.  It's the fact that I don't feel old on the inside, so why would I want to portray an aged image to the world?
 

I am certainly not against gray hair because I have some gorgeous friends who have elected to stop the hassle of coloring their tresses.  But, I'm not one of them even at the ripe old age of 70.

Not everyone can wear gray hair.  If your skin coloring does not have pink or blue undertones, you might need to keep on investing in the dye job.
However, if I looked like my blogger friend, Pat at Back Porch Musings, I would let it goooo - gray.

Now, what about styles?

Today's modern hairstyles for mature women can be fresh, vibrant and beautiful at any length. The right style can lift and brighten the face and draw attention to your best features.

For instance, light, slightly wispy bangs with a medium-length style look can conceal forehead wrinkles and add emphasis to the eyes.

Source

A choppy look is great for a mature woman who wants a modern, spunky look. The length and angles of styles like this work for any face shape.

The piecey layers create volume, and choppy ends draw the eye up and away from fine lines. Break up the color with some highlights for even more interest.

Source

Short, cropped looks are a great choice for mature, active women because they require less styling. Frequent trims will keep your look in top shape.

If I were a woman of color, this is exactly how I would wear my hair.  I love this natural, easy look.

Source

Short, straight styles can also be very flattering for mature women, as well as easy to style.

Short bangs can look severe; instead choose longer, slightly sidewept bangs with a short style. The look is still polished but also soft.

Source

Many women shy away from longer looks as they age, but there's no need to if your hair is healthy and well kept. Long hair can be a flattering look, especially when paired with long layers.  And it does offer alternatives the shorter styles do not.

But, long stringy gray hair on the older woman is not ever attractive to me and will age a woman faster than most anything else.

Source

The short spiky do can be so attractive on a vibrant, high energy senior woman.  Not every one can pull this off.  This is where personality and temperament and body style come into play.  But that's another blog post.

 Neither have I taken the time to address face shapes in regards to hair styles, but that is a very important consideration and one you can take up with your hair dresser if you have questions.

So, what about you?

Are you long or medium or short?

Colored or gray?

Whichever you decide, always strive to be
BEAUTIFUL WITHOUT & WITHIN!

First the Tide Rushes In

Summer is really slipping right along, but thankfully the weather hasn't been too terribly bad here in the deep, hot, humid south.

But, Joyce's Wednesday Hodgepodge always gives us something to look forward to each week.

Thank you Joyce!

  Let this serenade you while you read my answers!

1. When did you last 'swim against the tide'? Explain.

I think my "swimming" is usually against the tide of my own emotions.  A recent incident had me going from anger to dismay to anger to finally saying, "Lord, I don't think I want to feel this way any longer so your will be done."

2. What's the last self-help or self-improvement book you read?

"Abide in Christ" by Andrew Murray

3. "Tolerance is a tremendous virtue, but the immediate neighbors of tolerance are apathy and weakness." (Sir James Goldsmith)

Agree or disagree? Discuss. With civility please, because I think we have a good thing going in our very diverse (in geography, age, religion, political persuasion, ethnicity, marital status, upbringing, and cooking abilities) neighborhood here on This Side of the Pond.

The definition of tolerance is: the capacity to endure, without adverse reaction.  If a person becomes "tolerant" of a certain drug then it no longer continues to work like it is supposed to in their body. I believe this is what is happening in society.  We have tolerated a decaying of the moral fiber of society because we weren't personally experiencing an adverse reaction to it.  When we do, it can be too late.

I also believe that the word "tolerance" has become used and abused in the last few years.  It has come to the point in this country that one's tolerance is seen as acquiescence (apathy or an agreeing with) and any differing opinion is seen as intolerance.

That being said, I am tolerating my neighbors barking dogs, the unmowed yard of someone else, and the fact I don't hear from my grandchildren as often as I would like.  I am tolerating these and other matters because to not do so would cross a line that would take away their rights.  On the other hand, once those barking dogs come into my space, or prevent me from sleeping on a regular basis, then it will be time to address the issue.   I will be having an adverse reaction!  One person's right to live and express themselves should always be protected as long as the right to do so does not interfere and cross over and end another's right to do the same.

Whew!  That was a toughie for midweek, Joyce.

4. What is one of your most vivid memories of the kitchen from your childhood?

This kitchen is in the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI and when I saw it last summer, it brought back many memories of kitchens past.  Linoleum floors, Formica table tops, metal cabinets and large porcelain sinks.

5. How did/do your own children's summers compare with your summers as a child? If you're not a parent, answer as it relates to what you've observed about the current generation of children vs. your own childhood.

Now:  Busy, busy, busy; vacation trips, camps and other planned programs of activities
Then:  Lazy, relaxed, full of fun and play; time with family; picnics; cousins

6. Tell us what body of water you would most like to be on or near today, and why?

I'm not really a water bug, but I think I could get used to where our daughter and family spent last week.  At Montage Kapalua Bay, Hawaii.

7.  Share a favorite song about water, or a favorite song with the word water in it's title, or a favorite song to listen to as you sit beside the water.

Without question, it has to be EBB TIDE! That's what you are listening to. It was first made popular as an instrumental piece in 1954, then the Platters sang it and then The Righteous Brothers in 1965.  Below!  This could make a senior citizen a bit nostalgic.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

  

Since we're speaking of water, I felt compelled to share with you a couple pictures of my granddaughter and her new husband while on their honeymoon in St. Lucia.

Are they not adorable?

Love This!